Three months passed swiftly in Azure Cloud Sect.
Xiao Chen, under Elder Chaos's laissez-faire guidance, cultivated in seclusion on Chaos Peak. The dense chaos energy there allowed his progress to defy common sense.
He broke through to late Spirit Vein Condensation in the first month, then reached peak in the second. By the third month, he had begun condensing his first Golden Core embryonic form — a feat that would shock even Core Formation elders if known.
Yet he kept it hidden, showing only mid Spirit Vein when visiting Outer Peak.
Qing Lian progressed steadily too. Her pure water roots and diligent nature earned her a spot among the top new outer disciples. She received extra guidance from a kind female senior sister and two mid-grade spirit stones monthly.
Their secret meetings in secluded groves became the light in their cultivation lives — stolen kisses, whispered dreams, quiet promises.
But tension brewed.
The annual Outer Disciple Trial was announced — a mandatory event for all disciples under three years in the sect.
The trial ground: Azure Mist Forest, a vast forbidden zone bordering the sect, filled with spirit beasts, natural formations, and hidden treasures.
Rules were simple: enter alone or in small teams, survive three days, collect designated spirit herbs and beast cores. Ranking determined resources for the next year — top ten received high-grade spirit stones and elixir rewards.
Failure or early exit meant reduced monthly allocation.
Li Wei saw opportunity.
Through his uncle Deacon Li, he arranged a "coincidence" — his team of five (all late Spirit Vein or peak) would enter the same forest zone as Qing Lian's small group of three girls.
His plan: isolate Qing Lian, force her to rely on him, perhaps stage a beast attack where he "saved" her… or worse for Xiao Chen if the inner disciple interfered.
Xiao Chen learned of the trial from Mu Xiaoxiao.
"Little Junior Brother, outer trials are brutal — senior disciples often target new ones for resources. Your girl is talented; she'll be eyed."
Xiao Chen's eyes turned cold. "Can inner disciples enter?"
Xiaoxiao shook her head. "Forbidden. But… there's a watcher token for personal disciples. Elder Chaos probably has one. Ask him."
That night, Xiao Chen knelt before his master's hut.
"Master, this disciple requests a watcher token for the outer trial."
Elder Chaos's shadowy figure appeared. "Reason?"
"My dao companion is participating. I fear schemes against her."
A low chuckle echoed. "Already protective. Good — emotion fuels chaos. Take this."
A black jade token flew into Xiao Chen's hand.
"Enter as shadow watcher. Intervene only if life threatened. Otherwise, let blood temper them."
Xiao Chen bowed deeply.
The trial day arrived.
Hundreds of outer disciples gathered at the forest gate — a massive illusory formation sealing the mist-shrouded woods.
Qing Lian stood with her two roommates: Zhang Huo'er (fire roots, bold personality) and quiet Wang Shuo (who had switched to her group for safety).
She looked around anxiously — no sign of Xiao Chen, but she trusted he was watching somehow.
The gate opened.
Disciples flooded in.
Qing Lian's group moved carefully, collecting low-level herbs while avoiding beast territories.
On the second day, as evening fell, Li Wei's team "encountered" them near a misty valley.
"Junior Sisters, what coincidence!" Li Wei smiled warmly. "This area has a mid Spirit Vein beast guarding a Blue Spirit Flower. Dangerous alone — join us. We'll share the reward."
Zhang Huo'er was tempted, but Qing Lian refused politely.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Li, but we'll manage."
Li Wei's smile stiffened.
Night deepened.
A beast roar shook the valley — not mid Spirit Vein, but peak, a Mist Shadow Leopard known for stealth and poison.
It had been lured by hidden talismans Li Wei placed earlier.
The leopard pounced from shadows, claws aimed at Qing Lian's group.
Zhang Huo'er blasted fireballs, Wang Shuo erected a weak earth shield — but the beast shattered through, wounding Wang Shuo badly.
Qing Lian's water sword light danced desperately, but the leopard was too fast.
Li Wei's team "rushed to help" — but their attacks conveniently missed vital spots, prolonging the fight.
Qing Lian realized the trap too late.
The leopard's tail spike stabbed toward her heart.
Time slowed.
A black shadow flashed.
Xiao Chen appeared, watcher token activated at the last moment.
He caught the tail spike with bare hand — chaos energy corroding the poison instantly.
"Courting death."
His voice was ice.
The leopard roared and swiped with claws.
Xiao Chen punched once.
Boom!
The beast's head exploded into bloody mist, core flying into his palm.
Li Wei's team froze.
"Inner… inner disciple Xiao?"
Xiao Chen turned, eyes pitch black with suppressed killing intent.
"Scheming against my woman… you have one chance. Kneel and self-abolish cultivation, or die."
Li Wei's lackeys dropped weapons instantly, kneeling and crippling their own meridians with trembling hands.
Li Wei backed away, face pale. "You can't kill fellow disciples! Discipline hall—"
Xiao Chen stepped forward, pressure crushing Li Wei to his knees.
"Accidents happen in trials."
His hand rose.
Qing Lian grabbed his arm. "Chen-ge… don't. Not yet. We're still weak in the sect."
Her gentle voice pierced his rage.
He paused, then withdrew a recording jade that had captured everything.
"This goes to Sect Master. Li Wei, your uncle won't save you."
Li Wei collapsed, knowing his future was ruined.
Xiao Chen turned to the injured girls, feeding them healing pills from Chaos Peak.
Qing Lian hugged him tightly despite blood and dirt.
"You came…"
He held her close, whispering, "Always."
Zhang Huo'er stared in awe. "Sister Qing… your man is terrifyingly strong!"
In the shadows of Chaos Peak, Elder Chaos watched through a mirror, nodding faintly.
"Good killing intent… but still controlled by emotion. The boy has far to go before the Dark Avatar awakens."
Far above the realm, the faint heavenly eye that had observed Xiao Chen since mortal days pulsed once — as though remembering something ancient.
But it remained silent.